Third-party fire and theft car insurance
While traditional third-party property car insurance (TPP) can cover out-of-pocket costs if you damage somebody else’s car or property while driving, it won’t cover damage caused by fires or the theft of your vehicle.
However, third-party fire and theft car insurance (TPPFT) can give you the added confidence of knowing that if your car is damaged or lost due to fire or theft, you could recover some of the costs.
Let’s take a deeper look at the type of car insurance that sits somewhere in the middle of third-party property and comprehensive car insurance.
What is third-party fire and theft car insurance?
Third-party property with fire and theft insurance (TPPFT) is essentially an optional extra you can tack on to your TPP car insurance.
It will likely increase your car insurance premium, but the added coverage could prove to be worth it.
Third-party fire and theft car insurance may cover:
- Your car if it’s damaged by fire
- Your car if it’s lost to fire
- Your car if it’s stolen
- Your car if it’s damaged in an attempted theft
- Plus, all the things the TPP car insurance policy covers.
Who is fire and theft car insurance for?
Third-party fire and theft car insurance protects the policyholder’s vehicle. It might be a good option for you if you want the added coverage it provides on top of your TPP policy, and/or if you don’t want to pay for a comprehensive car insurance policy and its features.
Choosing a fire and theft insurance policy
- Agreed or market value? When you get TPP quotes, check if the maximum value of your vehicle that they will pay you is accurate. If it's a market value policy, but you aren't happy with their calculation, consider shopping around for a policy that offers an agreed value option.
- Compare fire and theft car insurance. Don't just take the first deal you get. Unless it's amazing, of course. But how will you know if you don't see what the competition is offering?
- Weigh-up if a comprehensive policy suits your needs. Just because you might be able to save a bit of cash by not splashing out for a comprehensive policy, consider the other benefits you might get if you do opt for more coverage.
Fire and theft vs comprehensive car insurance
Use the following table to get a rough idea of what some of the main differences in coverage are between typical TPPFT and comprehensive car insurance policies.
While not every policy is the same, you can certainly check what’s covered and what’s not covered in the provider’s policy disclosure statement (PDS), including any general exclusions that might void your claim.
Third-party property fire and theft (TPPFT) | Comprehensive car insurance | |
Theft (loss & damage) | ✔ | ✔ |
Fire (loss & damage) | ✔ | ✔ |
Damage to other drivers’ vehicle or property | ✔ | ✔ |
Damage to your car for not-at-fault accidents | ✔ | ✔ |
Damage to your car for accidents you cause | ✗ | ✔ |
Hire car after theft | ✔ | ✔ |
Hire car after accident | ✗ | ✔ |
Damage caused by floods, storms, or hail | ✗ | ✔ |
New car replacement after a write-off | ✗ | ✔ |
Towing | ✔ | ✔ |
Emergency repairs | ✗ | ✔ |
Emergency accommodation & travel costs | ✗ | ✔ |
Optional extras (e.g. windscreen replacement, roadside assistance, etc.) | ✗ | ✔ |
Essentially, you’re getting third-party property car insurance with a couple of useful extras, and excluding all the bells and whistles you might get with a comprehensive car insurance policy.
That being said, make sure to consider the extras you might get with a comprehensive policy, like help with repair costs if you scrape the side of your car while pulling out of the driveway, or new car replacement if you can’t afford to buy a new one after a write-off accident.
While you might save money with a TPPFT policy, a comprehensive car insurance policy might help you out where the former falls short.
Check out some of the featured comprehensive car insurance policies below, or check out the best car insurance in Australia to get acquainted with policies the Mozo experts believe are worth highlighting.
Compare comprehensive car insurance policies
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $400 - $2,500
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Youi like to get to know you from the very first conversation, which provides you with the opportunity to find comprehensive car insurance cover that could better suit your lifestyle and your needs. Because we’re all individuals, so we all use our cars differently from day-to-day. Youi is car insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped. Mozo People's Choice Excellent Customer Service Car Insurance award winner in 2024.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years and a listed driver is the first registered owner
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $50 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- Unlisted and aged 25 and over: $700, Unlisted and aged under 25: $2,000, Listed and aged under 25: $600
- Roadside assistance
- Yes
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read reviews and learn more about Youi car insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Choice of excess
- $800 Flat Excess Fee
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed
Available discounts
- Get 10% Off The Base Premium For The First 2 Consecutive Monthly Policies And Up To A 15% Potential Monthly Discount From Your 3rd Month For Being A Safer Driver. Minimum Premiums May Apply. Underwriting Criteria, Limits, Exclusions, And T&Cs Apply.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
ROLLiN’ offers affordable monthly comprehensive car insurance with its favourite extras included. No additional excess for young drivers, lodge a claim 24/7 and zero cancellation fees. Hire car is included up to $80 per day for up to 21 days; cover for one tow to our nearest authorised repairer, following a covered incident. No excess on your first covered windscreen, sunroof, and window glass damage once per insurance period. List multiple cars and drivers under the one policy as long as they fit the underwriting criteria (excludes Safe ’n Save policies).
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 15,000km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day after a covered event
- Rental car after accident
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day after a covered event
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - one claim can be made per Insurance Period, with $0 windscreen excess
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- No additional excess for young drivers. $3,000 for unlisted drivers
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- Optional benefit to boost the Single Car Value by 15%, it will be shown on your Insurance Certificate
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC NT TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read reviews and learn more about ROLLiN' car insurance
Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $550 - $1,900 (varies By State)
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- No Claim Discount
- Online Discount 15%
Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
Get award winning Car Insurance. Save 15% ^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. Budget Direct offers tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service, and get a hire car following a theft.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years or 40,000 kilometres of original registration, whichever comes first
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $1,000 total.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days for at fault accidents.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $40 on every windscreen claim for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for drivers under 21, $500 for drivers under 24, $600 for unlisted drivers, $500 for inexperienced drivers.
- Roadside assistance
- Optional Extra
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read reviews and learn more about Budget Direct car insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $2,200
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- Online Discount $75
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Australia Post Comprehensive Car Insurance offers a broad range of coverage and includes cover for anyone who drives your vehicle. It also covers new car replacement if your recently purchased brand new car is written off within the first three years (provided it has travelled less than 60,000km).
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 3 years and 60,000 km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess ($0 excess for repair only). Option to reduce windscreen replacement excess to $0 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Automatically covered.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for listed drivers under 25, $1,600 for unlisted drivers under 25.
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read reviews and learn more about Australia Post car insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $2,300
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- Online Discount $75
Comprehensive Car Insurance
QBE’s Comprehensive Car Insurance covers you for things like accident damage, fire and theft. Enjoy three year new car replacement. Get a hire car if you’re not at fault. Lifetime repair guarantee. Save $75 when you apply online.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 3 years and 60,000 km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess ($0 excess for repair only). Option to reduce windscreen replacement excess to $0 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Automatically covered.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $700 for listed drivers under 25, $2,000 for unlisted drivers under 25.
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC NT TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read reviews and learn more about QBE car insurance
Don’ts
Buy the first fire and theft car insurance you see
Although it may be tempting to go ahead and purchase the first sparkly car insurance policy you read about, it will give you very little in return. It's always worth looking around first to see if there's a better value option out there, or if you can negotiate on price using other quotes.
Try Mozo's car insurance comparison tool to see if you can get the cover for all the things you expect in your car insurance at the right price. It only takes a couple of minutes and saves you potentially hours searching online or calling around.
Rely on online comparisons alone
It’s wonderful that we can rely on online comparisons and info as we do our general day to day research for products and services. But we probably shouldn’t solely rely on what we find online.
There could be new products not yet listed on insurance providers websites that could suit your personal situation better, or features and products that you’re unaware of with existing ones that you need clarification on. So it pays to set some time aside and give your insurance company a call. You never know what you could be missing out on.
Still not sure which direction to take?
Sometimes reading about other people’s experiences when it comes to purchasing fire and theft car insurance is the best way to settle on the right product. So check out Mozo's great customer review section on car insurance.
* Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Car Insurance Awards